Children of Nature in an Untouched Wilderness: Jens Andreas Friis’s Lajla (1881) and the European Imagination of the Sámi and the Cap of the North

This chapter explores the cultural and historical impact of Jens Andreas Friis's 1881 novel Lajla, which played a significant role in shaping European perceptions of the Sámi people and the Cap of the North. Initially intended as a critique of Norwegian assimilation policies, the novel paradoxically reinforced romanticized and derogatory stereotypes of the Sámi as "happy savages" inhabiting a fairy-tale wilderness. Despite Friis's intentions, Lajla contributed to the perpetuation of Social-Darwinist ideas and the Norwegianization policies of the time. The novel's popularity led to multiple translations, adaptations, and international acclaim, further embedding these stereotypes in European middle-class culture. The article examines the novel's reception across various countries, highlighting how its critical aspects were often ignored or rationalized away. Additionally, the article discusses the broader context of Sámi representation in tourism and ethnographic expositions, which commodified Sámi culture while reinforcing exotic and primitive stereotypes. Through an imagological analysis, the article argues that Lajla resonated with pre-existing European notions of the Sámi, offering little new insight into their culture. Ultimately, the novel's success underscores the persistence of ethnotypes and the challenges of altering entrenched cultural perceptions.